The history and the origins of Pathans has been a controversial debate however not much of a consensus could be formed . There were theories ranging from Pakhtuns having an Aryan, Jewish, Arab or mixed origin. None was convincing enough to form a conclusion. Patahns are extremely obsessed and curious to know about their origin of their race, however it might not be a major concern for many other races. Some people believe that they might also be related to Khalid bin walid and as a result of which Pathans might also have an Arabic origin. While another school of thought relate them to of Adolf Hitler’s that has a link to the Afghans to the Aryans and ultimately a linkage to Pathans of Peshawar.
Pashtun
culture is based on Islam and Pashtunwali, which is an ancient way of life.
Kingdoms
Classes
of Pathans Society
Mian,Gujar,Rangi,Kulal.
Holidays
, special events and Traditions
Gham
khadi,Wada Koidana,Topak tamacha,hujra,kat bistara along with those is the
arrival of Sparlay or Spring, known as Nava Wroz (New Day), is also celebrated
by some Pashtuns. It is an ancient annual Pashtun festival which celebrates
both the beginning of spring and the New Year. Amongst some Pashtuns,
Sheshbeeyeh, a prelude festival to Nava Wroz is also celebrated.
Food
One
of the most famous dishes includes tikkah,serge,sugi ka halwa,kawa,chapali
kabab,kabala palao,special long naans. And many more.
Poetry
Pathan
are very famous for their poetry ,they are very passionate and patriotic which
is obvious from their poetry. Some of the famous poets are include Amir Kror
Suri, Khushal Khan Khattak, Rahman Baba and many others.
Tappa
Tappa
is the oldest and most popular form of the Pakhtuns poetry. The first line is
shorter than the succeeding one, yet it reflects all human feelings .It is also
common among the Pashtuns that a boy of school would sing it, the elders in
their hujrahs. It is the only song sung in the time of grief and on the
occasion of marriage. In music it is sung with the traditional Pashto musical
instruments rubab and mangai. Tappa has up to 16 different models of harmony
and is being sung with full orchestra.
Charbeta
Charbetta
is another famous form of peotry, which consists of an epic poem with special
rhythms. There are four kinds of Charbetta’s. Normally, it’s a poem of four
lines but might also have six or eight lines. All aspects of life are discussed
in it. That includes the heroic deeds and heroism by legendary figures and
sometime expresses the romantic feelings. The tempo is usually very fast and is
sung by two or more singers as part of a chorus in which ones singer reads the
first line while the others follow the remaining. The singing or recitation of
a Charbetta is called Tang Takore. Traditionally Charbetta is started just
after the finishing of a Tappa.
Neemakai
Neemakai
has many different forms and normally women compose it. It is usually very
short (1 to 3 lines). The first lines are repeated in the middle of the song
and Tappa is usually added according to the subject and circumstances. Most of
these songs in Pashtoon culture have been expressed in different areas about
daily life and love.
Loba
Loba
is very popular among the masses and are added within Tappas occasionally. This
is a form of folk music in which a story is told. It requires 2 or more persons
who reply to each other in a poetic form. The two sides are usually the lover
and the beloved (the man and woman).
Shaan
Shaan
is sung during happiness such as marriages and or the birth of a child, and are
sung in private congregations and social gatherings.
Badala
Badala
is a professional form of folk music and consists of an epic poem or a ballad.
Instruments used include the rubab, harmonium, mungey or tabla. In Badala,
tribal traditions are the main theme as well as heroism, tragedies and romance.
Badala consists of variations, because each couplet is varied in rhythms from
other. It is sung traditionally at night.
Rubayi
Rubayi
is a Pashto form of a Ghazal. The Rubayis of Rehman Baba are popular among the
masses and is sung before the starting of Badala. As with the Ghazals, the
Rubayi have been heavily influenced by Arabic, Persian and Turkish poetry.
Dances
Attan:
In this dance, the dancers perform to the music.This dance is performed by both
the genders involving 2-5 steps, ending with a clap given while facing the
center, after which the process is repeated again. This dance is typically
performed with the musician dictating the duration and speed.
Khattak
dance: The Khattak Dance is performed by the Khattak tribe.
Mahsud
dance: A unique dance routine using rifles performed by the Mahsud tribe of
Pashtuns. Originally it was used to dance at the time of war, but later on
became a cultural dance. The dancers dance empty handed and require only large
drums. Nowadays though it is danced with the guns in the dancers hand.
Waziri
dance: Two drummers and a flute player play a particular tune. Two persons
leave the circle; go dancing towards the drummers, and come back dancing in the
same manner. During performing both the persons turn around two times at a time
once towards each other facing face to face and once keeping faces in opposite
direction. After doing this separately they march while dancing to the
assembled crowd.
Clothing
Pashtun
men usually wear a Partoog-Korteh in Pashto(salwar kameez is Urdu)with a pakul
(Pashtun hat). In the Kandahar region young men usually wear different type of
hat similar to a topi and in the Peshawar region they wear white kufis instead.
Leaders or tribal chiefs sometimes wear a karakul hat, like Hamid Karzai and
others. Women and girls wear traditional long dresses with a light piece of
cloth used to cover their hair.They also wear beautiful hand made jewellery.
And beautiful pakhtoon frocks.
Sports
Some
Pashtuns participate in buzkashi, which is a sport introduced in the region
during the Mughal era.. The word “buz” means “goat” and “kashi” means
“dragging” or “pulling”. Not a team sport, it is every man for himself and that
becomes apparent as soon as the game starts. Although buskashi is primarily an
individual sport, alliances are built up between various players. Between the
alliances, the strongest players finally take control .This is very similar to
polo. Football is another sports very enjoyablely played by pathans of Khyber
pahktoonwar.
Conclusion
Since
Khyber Pakhtoon war is situated to the Northern side of Pakistan. It usually
has a cold climate and people living their usually travel to other side of
Paksitan in search of income. Other then that agriculture goods such as dry
fruits and food are also grown there.Ladies also tend to do hand embridory and
jewellery making which is very much appreciated all over the world.People are
very hospitile and loving .They are appreciate the arrival of guests at their
place and tend to be very mehmaan nawazz.
